TATTON MP George Osborne will be keeping an even closer watch on economic strategy after being promoted to Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury in the recent reshuffle by Tory leader Michael Howard.

The move was seen at Westminster as an endorsement of his existing role in the Opposition treasury department and gives him a further hike up the ranks of the party.

He will work directly alongside Oliver Letwin, Shadow Chancellor, playing a major role in setting economic policy in advance of the next General Election.

Responsibility for content of the Conservative manifesto and its tax spending implications will be the major task ahead.

He said he was "flattered" but the extra workload would not impinge of his duties in Tatton.

He said: "Basically I am the guy who has to make the sums add up. I am flattered to have been asked to do it, it's an influential job, a very important job in opposition because it plays an important part in our appeal to voters.

"We will be setting in place the aims of the manifesto and putting together some attractive tax and spend policies which balances a desire to save money which has been wasted while making sure our schools, hospitals and health service have the resources they need.

"But it won't mean that I spend less time in the constituency. That remains the most important job."

Mr Osborne, 33, elected in 2001, is one of the youngest MPs in the House of Commons. He was a speech writer for former leader William Hague and was quickly recruited to a key team of strategists by Michael Howard when he was selected leader. As member of the team, he has played a leading role briefing Mr Howard for Question Time and quizzing the Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

Out of Westminster he has a been a frequent panellist and guest on television, regularly presenting a day-time politics slot.